Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Science - Department of Biochemistry

Chitosan is a biodegradable biocompatible polymer derived from natural renewable resources. Chitosan has a primary amino group which gives it a cationic character. These primary amino groups are responsible for numerous applications in various fields such as: in situ gelation, efflux pump inhibitory properties, mucoadhesion, permeation enhancement, and transfection and as a drug delivery system. Chitosan Nanoparticles (CSNPs) are used as vectors in nanoparticles drug delivery systems (NDDS). They provide targeted, sustained release and biodegradability. In this study chitosan from different sources was used to prepare ciprofloxacin (a wide range antibiotic from the quinolones family) chitosan based nanoparticles by ionic gelation method. The CSNPs were characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, zeta sizer and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The release kinetics of the ciprofloxacin incorporated CSNPs showed sustained release of the ciprofloxacin. This formulation was tested for antimicrobial activity against a wide range of bacterial strains. The results showed antibacterial activity against gram positive bacteria (methicillin - resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), bacillus subtilis) with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) varied from 0.03 to 2.17 æg/ml and from 0.0043 to 2.17 æg / ml MIC against gram negative bacteria escherichia coli E.coli, pseudomonas aeruginosa

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